2012-2013: TRAYVON MARTIN SHOOTING

On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a Neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. George Zimmerman was instructed not to get out of his SUV or approach the person. Zimmerman disregards the instructions. Moments later, neighbors report hearing gunfire. Zimmerman acknowledges that he shot Martin, claiming it was in self-defense. Stanford Chief of police did not charge Zimmerman.
Authorities release seven 911 calls from the night of the shooting. In one of the 911 recordings, Zimmerman, against the advice of the 911 dispatcher, follows Martin. CNN analyzes one of the tapes of Zimmerman's call to dispatch, in which he is purported to have used a racial slur against blacks.
Trayvon Martin’s parents petition on Change.org for the arrest of Zimmerman and over 1.3 million people signed the petition. Soon after Sanford Chief of police resigned temporarily after the aftermath of his no charge decision.
President Obama speaks to the public about the growing controversy over the Trayvon Martin shooting, stating, “ this requires national soul searching and if I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.
On June 24, 2013, the trial against George Zimmerman begins. He was charged with second-degree murder. The jury only consisted of 6 all female jurors. George Zimmerman was found not guilty on July 13, 2013.

Family and Friends of the victims continue to protest, rally, and show rage towards police due to the continuation of African American men being killed by police and not receiving any consequences from the Law. This shows their PTSD and Anxiety that this will continue to happen in the African American communities.
People all over the United States were enraged by the racial discrimination, police brutality, and unequal justice system towards African American men. People across the country rallied and protest. Hundreds of people attend a "Million Hoodie March," wearing T-shirts and carrying signs bearing phrases including, "I am Trayvon Martin."